Yeah, it is kinda funny. Mallory (Est), Maitz/Ucar (Turkey), Reed (Geo), Reed/Reed (Japan) all call USA home. Good from the Danish team is from Canada. Zavozin, born in Russia, raised in the USA (competing for them), now with Hungary.

HOffmann and Zavozin had a great skate. I did find that they truly looked like they were indeed performing a Hungarian folk dance; and her costume was amazing. My problem however was with his attire: I realize that it was traditional, but, the untucked smock shirt and tight leggings made him look quite overweight and chunky, and way too much like he was carrying a beer-belly.

The young French pair, great potential (plus, he's not bad looking) - he's an ex-British skater - ! - but, they just seemed to collapse at the end, and couldn't carry it through, very cool rotational lifts ... however, they seemed to be enjoying it, which makes such a difference in the skating.

Okay, I get that Russian sailors are all male, thus, yes, you would not expect to see a girl dancing the sailor's dance. However, if you are going to go to the extent of having them both apparently "male", then, you shouldn't be doing dance moves that are male/female; I don't believe that Russian sailors would be performing a dance using those type of dance holds or lifts. You need to be consistent in the concept, I couldn't believe in it as "authentic" - it didn't sell me on the concept. Beautifully skated, but, inconsistent in concept.

Navarro & Bommentre: my skater-son is stating forcefully that the guy looks like an escapee from Ironman II - ! Seriously, I don't like this outfit. The bouncing breastplate is very distracting, and I can see it being a safety issue if she gets "snagged" on it.

Okay, I get that Russian sailors are all male, thus, yes, you would not expect to see a girl dancing the sailor's dance. However, if you are going to go to the extent of having them both apparently "male", then, you shouldn't be doing dance moves that are male/female; I don't believe that Russian sailors would be performing a dance using those type of dance holds or lifts. You need to be consistent in the concept, I couldn't believe in it as "authentic" - it didn't sell me on the concept. Beautifully skated, but, inconsistent in concept.

The concept of masculinity the way North Americans understand it is very different to the rest of the world. In many other parts of the world, men do dance hand in hand and close to each other and sometimes, even kiss each other without anyone thinking they are gay or something. I watched several clips of the Russian sailor and other military dance, performed by all male casts and sometimes, actual soldiers themselves, their representation seem pretty authentic to me.

The concept of masculinity the way North Americans understand it is very different to the rest of the world. In many other parts of the world, men do dance hand in hand and close to each other and sometimes, even kiss each other without anyone thinking they are gay or something. I watched several clips of the Russian sailor and other military dance, performed by all male casts and sometimes, actual soldiers themselves, their representation seem pretty authentic to me.

Didn't think they looked gay, that wasn't the issue (although I know that other posters in other threads and on other forums have discussed that aspect) - I simply didn't see "sailors" doing a "sailor's dance" - I saw holds that seemed to convey, to me at least, traditional waltz male/female dance instead of a folk dance. Part of the problem is perhaps that North American audiences (and myself included in that ) - are somewhat clueless on this type of dance, whereas, we are more familiar with other of the folk dances presented. Thanks for the insight re: what their military dances look like.